The volume of sales at stable prices in Argentine supermarkets grew by 13.6 percent year-on in July in the adjusted measurement, according to the Economy Ministry.

Regarding June, retail sales grew 3.3 percent. The billing of the surveyed retailers, which includes the impact of inflation, increased 20.3 percent year-on to 4.2 billion pesos (1.1 billion dollars), informed the Indec national statistics agency.

The population's consumption is key for the sustainment of the country's economy, since it represents more than 65 percent of the GDP.

In order to maintain a good level of sales, supermarket chains maintained important promotions, with strong discounts and instalment payments with credit cards.

After a six year cycle of sustained growth between 2003 and 2008, the country's economy slowed down at the end of last year due to domestic problems and the international crisis. In July, "total sales at current prices showed an increase of 13.6 percent with regards to the same period of last year," said the Indec.

The report added that the most significant increments were registered in Buenos Aires province (28.5 percent), in Entre Ríos province (26.4 percent), and in other northern provinces (22.9 percent).

The majority of the indicators that the Argentine government elaborates have been questioned since the Indec national statistics agency was intervened in the beginning of 2007.